ANIMALSJackals CatsScarab beetlesCrocodilesHipposBy Ciara and Julie

THE GODS

The domesticated cat was a symbol of grace because of the way it hunts its prey.

Cats were very important animals in Ancient Egypt, they were both pets and symbols of cat gods such as Bast.

Bast, Egyptian goddess of pleasure, protector of the household, bringer of health, and the guardian saint of firefighters -- she was the original mistress of multi-tasking!

Cats Bast

MUMMIFIED ANIMALSThe ancient Egyptians

mummified more than just human corpses. Animals were viewed not only as pets but as part of gods. As such, the Egyptians buried millions of mummified cats, birds, etc.

HIPPOS

A hippo with its baby

The hippopotamus was a danger to boats on the river Nile and to people working on or near the river banks. Egyptians feared them because of their huge mouths, teeth, and size and their aggressive natures when angered. However, Egyptians also saw them as symbols of rebirth. The hippo is represented in the goddess Tauret (Taweret), who protects women in childbirth.

JACKAL AND CROCODILE The Ancient

Egyptians realised that these dogs are able to find the good part of old meat and eat that part and not die. The jackal was used as a symbol in the judgement death scene - where a heart is weighed by Anubis to tell the good and bad heart.

The Egyptians both respected and feared the power of the crocodile as they were a real danger to them. The Nile, which was full of crocodiles, was important to the livelihood of the Egyptians. It therefore made good sense to have a god which could appease these ferocious beasts. Crocodiles were represented by the god called Sobek. Possessing the strength and nature of a crocodile, which Egyptians would both fear and respect, he was a symbol of the Pharaoh's power.

SCARAB BEETLE

The scarab beetle is a real beetle, a common beetle. To the ancient Egyptians, this common beetle symbolized hope and the restoration of life. They used the design of a scarab beetle in many ways.

Seals were created in the shape of a scarab and used to stamp documents. Artisans made scarab jewelry using precious gems and painted clay. The same design was used to make good luck charms and amulets to ward off evil.